When You Dream Of Being A Housewife and a Giveaway

God-sized Dream = A desire in your heart for more of what God has for you.

We’re opening the door to God-sized dreams in 2013. So every week we get together to encourage each other {because don’t we all need it? yes, ma’am.}. This week Emily Wierenga is here to share about God-sized dreams with you…

I always thought God-sized dreams were big.

But I had forgotten that God could fit inside a manger.

I always wanted to be on TV, to be a news anchor, until my husband asked me why, and I realized it was because I wanted to be famous, because I’d never felt known or affirmed.

Funny how small you can feel when you realize your big dreams are just a disguise for low self-esteem.

My sister, a very talented pianist, was recently asked what her life-long dream was. Her response? “To be a housewife.” It has been her dream since she was a little girl. In my mind, that dream was small.

Until I became one.

Until I became a wife and a mother and a foster mother and I realized the power of a Proverbs 31 woman. The strength behind service. The incredible talents behind breathing life into men and children and keeping a home and there’s not a lot of recognition, besides a few peanut-butter and honey kisses. Besides sticky arms wrapped around your neck and your husband’s feet playing with yours under an afghan after the kids have gone to bed and if you’re lucky, a few minutes to yourself to do some of your hobbies like writing or painting.

There’s not a lot of pay, either, but the Bible tells us that the last shall be first, and he who becomes like a child, will be greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

So in God’s eyes, the humbler the role, the greater the reward, and this is hard for me to grasp. Especially in the face of books like Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg which tell women to grasp power by the reigns and take what is theirs and demand equal opportunity or better.

But in seeking first the kingdom of heaven; in telling our men we believe in them, in washing our children’s feet, in celebrating what the world tells us is a menial and unimportant job—keeping a home—we are in fact raising up future leaders and future generations.

We serve a God who came to earth as an infant, who chose a woman to bear him. We serve a God who rode into Jerusalem on the donkey—not a stallion. We serve a God who washed the feet of the very man who would betray him.

Because there is no size or status in the kingdom of heaven—there is only obedience. And the greatest reward will be these words: Well done, my good and faithful servant.

***

I have written a book, along with Dr. Dena Cabrera, called Mom in the Mirror: Body Image, Beauty and Life After Pregnancy, which celebrates this very thing: our femininity, our strength as women, and how to learn to LOVE ourselves fully so we can, in turn, love our husbands and our children.

I’m excited to GIVE AWAY a hard-cover copy today so please leave a comment below on what you love about YOUR body and we will choose a random winner at the end of the week.

Otherwise, you can pick up your own copy of the book HERE, for 40% off.

(For the book trailer, endorsements and sample chapters, please visit the official book website HERE)

Comments

Emily – you always challenge and encourage me. As I (still after all these years) try to figure out what exactly I believe about marriage and roles and leadership – you remind me that the biggest issue is my heart, not a label. Am I serving or am I demanding? No matter how I label myself this always has to be the question.

Thank you friend.

What I love about my body? My legs. They are a good length. They are strong. They are slowly learning to run – showing that I can do something I never thought possible and that makes me happy.

I love that my legs, while chunkier than they used to be, will carry me on a run. I am grateful for a body that allows me to challenge myself and run the good run and all that brings with it: discipline, power, victory.

Not much I love about my body, specially now that it’s bloated from illness and medications…. BUT.. something that I love to bits, stayed strong and beautifully shaped and something I’ve delighted to give attention to through thick and thin, is… MY FINGERNAILS! (You see, there’s always something…)

GOD knew us b4 HE knitted our bones together in our moms womb & APPROVED of us. He KNOWS ALL U R going thru & HE HEARS our PRAYERS, BUT, we do have to ‘ASK’. HE is our source of ‘STRENGTH’ & HE puts things on our ‘pathway’ to REMIND us HE hasnt 4got10 us-“CAUSE & EFFECT”. I KNOW what ‘side effects ‘LIFE/PAIN’

‘My people die 4 lack of knowledge”. Sometimes WE have to ‘SEARCH 4 OURSELVES:www.knowthecause.com OPENED MY eyes & MANY MORE who were SUFFERING-SUM for YRS! When people go ‘THRU’ things they come out BETTER OR BITTER. My PRAYER is U DO SEARCH & FIND the ANSWERS.:-)

My shoulders and back that speak of stature and strength from a short woman who is honored to bare the glory of His name. I love the way your life has evolved from a woman who desires fame to one who desires to honor the the Famous One. Yes!

I love my scars. I had two C-sections to birth my two beautiful boys and I wouldn’t trade thoses scars for anything. They remind me that I am a mom. That God chose me to take care of two of His children.

I have loved being a mom. Yes, some days are more difficult than others, and maybe my shape isn’t what it used to be, but God’s grace is always present. Now that my girls are teens, I see the work He is doing in and through them – God is good!
The one thing I have always liked (maybe love?) – my eyes. The color, the way they smile when I smile… Thank you for your words!

I love that this imperfect and aching body wakes up and smells the coffee, hears the birds singing their praises to God, sees the sunrise through the evergreen trees, feels the caresses and kisses of those I love, tastes the sweetness of fresh picked berries. I love this body that bore my precious children, and has served me long enough to enjoy my children’s children.

I love that I am round in the middle because it is a constant reminder of a grandmother who loved me unconditionally and who was a wonderful Christian role model. I love that I have broad shoulders because they remind me of a grandfather who was a pillar of strength for his family and a dedicated servant to the Lord. I love the receding hair line I got from my father and the skinny ankles from my mom, these remind me that I belong, that I am loved, that God has a special purpose just for me because he created me just as I am. Therefore I will conscious about good health, still thankful for being just ME!

My hips may be bigger than I like, but I love that my legs are connected to them and keep me going in His service. My arms may have bat wings, but I love that my hands are connected to them to be about His work. My eyes may have dark circles under them and have deep smile-wrinkles, but I love that Christ’s love shines through them to those brought across my path. My teeth may not be as white as I would like, but I love that my smile can brighten someone’s day. I love that no matter my size or shape, God can, and does, use me! Blessings to you, sisters in the Lord!

I yearned for that opportunity 27 years ago and God opened the door to do just that when my son was 6. I wouldn’t trade the partnership with God to invest in my husband and children for anything! I did realize that I, too, had an identity challenge I didn’t realize till I didn’t have a title! His title change and change in me has made me so thankful today. Now, at 60+, I am taking God’s hand and stepping into another God sized dream. But I will never forget and even yearn to go back to those wonderful peanutbutter and jelly days and the delight of a God sized dream realized!

Hmm what do I like about my body? Good question for we can easily pinpoint what we don’t like. I like my hands, they are soft and feminine. I can do many things with them. Not fancy things like playing an instrument but simple things like cooking for my family, holding my toddler’s hand who’s learning how to walk, holding my husband’s hand, etc.

I love my smile. It’s encouraged and blessed a lot of people when I didn’t even realize it was working.
Thank you for this post too. I am just hoping/praying God trusts me with the amazing opportunity of being a wife and mother one day.

Although much heavier than I was when I was first pregnant with my children (I am working on losing weight), I am happy my body was strong enough to carry my son and daughter who have become awesome adults. I am happy the Lord has granted me good health.

I love my body because she has carried me through many seasons in my life and we are both still standing! My body holds many scars, yet my most favorite is the one next to my heart. It’s my droopy boob! It has a scars underneath it that occurred as a child. My droopy boob covers it with much love and sentiment. It’s the one that gave the most milk to my son. And it pretty much kept it’s form to this day. I just get her all tucked in…tighten the bra a bit, and strut on with my day. Our secret. It captivates the essence of being a mother…reminds me that God entrusted me with His gift of life.

That was my dream (which did come true) for a long time, but I thought it wasn’t worthy of being a dream. Not big enough. Not important enough. I’m SO SO glad I was able to have that dream. I will cherish it always.

Wow that at first was such a hard question what do I love about my body… There kids, a husband and a very busy life will take its physical toll at times if we allow the stresses of this world to take its toll on u but then when u look at the amazing positives! Those three beautiful children and wonderful man of God I have that God has blessed me with- motherhood and being a wife of minister and being in ministry is a blessing! So all the late nights up working on the house getting things ready for the next day… School work, has left me with tired eyes but praise The Lord for my eyes so that I may see my children and husband and their smile when they wake up! And that when my husband works andthen goes and preaches and does the outreach ministry I may see him standing proclaiming gods word to a lost city and working hard to provide for our family, thank you lord for my eyes that u may see and that also I once was lost but now I do see!

What a beautiful reminder to me that I don’t have to be “superwoman” and make millions of dollars to show my love for God– I can and do do it- when I throw in a load of wash for my family, when I babysit for my grandbabies when my daughter, a single parent, cant find a sitter, or when I read a psalm from the Bible. What do I love about my body? I could say not much since I have had breast cancer and had a bilateral mastectomy, and have not been able to have any reconstruction done. But now I stop and think– my breasts weren’t all of me– what I love most about my body is my hands. I can still hold my husband’s hand, my children’s hands and my grandbabies hands. I can fix them some warm cookies from the oven. and my brothers and sisters that live far away to hug- I can write a “old-fashioned letter ” to them or send them an email. And most important, I can lift my hands in praise to my God and my Saviour for bringing me through such a debilitating illness, only to get a whole new perspective on life. Thank you God for my hands.

I haven’t loved my body much in the past… I’m short and my weight always makes me feel frumpy. In November I started to take on a new way of eating and a new way of exercising… I’m seeing muscles I never thought I could have. Although my midsection is still a ‘work in progress’…I’m loving the new shapes that are making up my new body. I am loving the whole package as I am getting excited about feeling stronger and leaner and I catch those glimpses in the mirror or muscles in my calves and biceps (which I never had before) and I am now loving that I can see my ribcage again…funny as I’m writing this I hear the verse about “parts of the body” in 1 Corinthians 12:14-18 and have to say I don’t think I have a specific part anymore…rather I’m loving the whole package. Thanks Holley, your messages are inspirational! blessings

Yes! U got it kido! our ‘parts’ R JUST ‘PART of the ‘WHOLE being’,as well as-MIND & SPIRIT! Our ‘PARTS’ ‘CHANGE COMPLEtELY aprox ea.7yrs,BUT, we R NCOURAGED by KNOWING:’ Behold,I make ALL things ANEW” means we can go from catipillar to BUTTERFLY & experience ALL that we R ‘MEMT’ to even ‘IN BETWEEN’;-)

Yes, housewife/domestic engineer is one of the most rewarding jobs I have ever had. Even after all these years of togetherness God still blesses us with wonderful times together. One learns to find blessings in the simple things of life.

I believe on most days I am fearfully and wonderfully made. The struggle comes when I look in the mirror and my eyes widen. Then I say “God you are awesome in your love for me, not looking at this droopy flesh, you see my heart and the longing I have to be more like you on the inside and live aloud on the outside!” My prayer as I walk away from the tell all show all mirror, “Lord help me is to stay on the road to wise food choices and movement. This body was built to last, and this heart and mind was meant to worship and serve You!”. Great combination if you ask me. Thank you Lord for your all encompassing love!

Well that is a big question to ponder – “What do I love about my body?”
As I head towards 65 years of age I often take time to reflect over things . I am so thankful for the weaknesses in strength that I have needed to deal with- as it relates to my body. Living with Crohn’s Disease over the past 25 years has held many unknowns and also has become the motivation to search for the meaningful things. I celebrate the good days of health and each milestone that I can share with my dear husband, precious children and three special grandchildren. I would not change a thing -God is caring for me through it all and in spite of challenges with this body my spirit can soar!

What I love about my body. There couldn’t be a harder question, as I stand on the brink of menopause. I’m not happy with how much I weigh, or with the changes being over 45 can bring. My legs aren’t bad, they don’t like to run…my mind sends them a message asking ” What are you running from? What are you running toward?”

When asked what I love about my body? The best answer I can give is that it is made in God’s image. I may not like how gravity affects me….I gotta LOVE the fact that everyday his grace and mercy gives me a chance to reflect him !!!

Yes 4 SURE we R ‘MADE N GODS IMAGE & R HIS ‘HOLY TEMPLE’. (DONT recall reading anything about JESUS looking often into a mirror critizing HIMSELF tho.) HE knew HIS ‘PURPOSE’ & ‘consentrated’ on THAT & HELPING MANY along the way.:-)

My body is very sensitive to change and also flexible knowing fully well that it reminds me of God’s image being a temple of God.
I love my hands, it reminds me that its flexible and can do a lot of things I want it to do.

It has helped so many people up whenever they are down and it is ever ready to give assistance when necessary.

My hands are very strong and can write inspirational notes that will heal the wounded heart.

Am happy I have my hands and I believe it will take me places that will bring glory and victory to God’s name alone.

Meanwhile,I appreciate your daily messages and in particular today’s message. Though presently an housewife,I hv been struggling with being a good mother especially a good wife without nagging and less demands. But today’s message has brought it all clearer to me now.
Thank you so much

What I love about my body is my smile. My parents paid a lot for these straight teeth, and it took eight extractions and lots of years, but now that I’m an adult I really appreciate them–especially since I’m now straightening the teeth of my kids. I know it’s not much, but through the hard times in my life and in the lives of my family and friends, I have been very grateful to have a good, big, white straight-teeth smile. When I smile now, instead of people thinking (or sometimes even saying) “Wow, how DO teeth get that crooked?” I hope they see my love for them, and some sort of a reflections of God’s love for them as well. I hope my smile lifts people up, cheers them, and coveys what is in my heart. I hope that when I smile at my husband, who has been ill for 16 years now, it lets him know that I believe that everything will be ok, and that I still think he’s the greatest person in the world! I hope that when I smile at my children they know that I love them and always will. I hope when I smile at my friends that they know that I appreciate them and how they lift me up. I hope when I smile at strangers, they know that I believe that we really are all brothers and sisters, that I wish them the best, and that I would like to have an opportunity to get to know them better.

dear stacey… i’m so sorry to hear about your husband. my heart aches for you. i’d love to send you a copy of Mom in the Mirror; can you email me your mailing address? it’s wierenga.emily@gmail.com. bless you friend. e.

I love my body; because it is a Temple where Jesus lives. He breathed life into this body, and when Jesus moves out and I graduate to be with him forever, he is going to give me a new one. How exciting is that.

I just had a painful moment of clarity. How can I constantly complain about my hips? My sturdy, wide, “child-bearing” hips…which did just that, times 4. Right now, I realize they are my new favorite part of my body, and I’m grateful for them. Thanks for helping me put things in proper perspective.

I am grateful to my body that even on the days when I struggle with accepting it as it is, it loves me unconditionally in return by staying in perfect health. I love that it tells a story of victory–we’ve been through alot together. When I abused it by eating loaded foods and not working it out or sleeping enough, it gently nudged me when it had had enough and together we lost 50+ pounds, the only ‘scar’ it carried was a few stretch marks any other weighty matters became a testimony I share not the journey I live under. Along the way my body has taught me that though the exterior is the shell-its most priced possession is the soul and the heart of the woman it carries. When I find myself staring too long in the mirror or slightly wishing to be less curvy, 15 pounds lighter or any other way than the reflection staring at me, it reminds lovingly that the outside will forever change and age and fade, but what matters most is it what is being protected on the inside. What I have come to appreciate most is the lessons it teaches me on self-love, the conversations we have together and that even in the bruise or two or the jiggle it continues to teach me how to love myself unconditionally, and ultimately love others the same. Jiggle, (self-defined) flaws and all, we’re all made perfectly in His image.

Wonderful post. I was blessed to be a stay at home mom. What do I like about my 62 year old body? For all of the hurt and pain I choose my MIND! I read all of the time,play computer games to keep sharp,kep up on the world. I’m now teaching my 6 yr old and 4 yer old grandsons to juggle and to sew. I like my mind. Thank you for a chance to win opt of your book.

This is so funny that I am reading this TODAY!! My hubby and I were hanging in the hottub with our kids last night. My husband did a cute smile and it showed off his dimple on his left check. I told him how cute it looked and asked what side my dimple was on my face… (More of a dimple line). My family started to tease me that it might be more if a wrinkle then a dimple. But I declared that I love my new wrinkles! They give my face more character and that a women who takes care of herself can look even more beautiful in her 30’s, 40’s, 50’s and beyond! I really mean this. I saw a great, great Grandma in her 90’s with a cane, needing help to get around; but when you looked close… Her beauty was still stunning!

What I love about my body is my heart and mind and spirit. I love that I love so much that it hurts sometimes. Not that I knew how to do this on my own but have learned it from the love taught to me by God/Jesus/HolySpirit and loving friend. He showed me unconditional love when I never knew it growing up.

Thank you for your devotionals. They help me so much because I feel like you do and knowing I’m not alone and reading how to change my perspectives to include loving myself, is priceless. 🙂

First of…thanks for sharing not only the opportunity of acquiring a copy of your book, but for share clarity, truth and hope….
What I like the most of my body is my whole body itself, especially my eyes, because they truly reflect my soul…. I have to use this opportunity to apologize to my body for so many years treat it soooo bad and for not be grateful for the way it is and for not recognizing what a beautiful gift God gave me through it… For many years I “misused” it and always resented God for the way he made me. God has forgave me and my body too, and I have been blessed with two beautiful princesses through this body, and has been given the opportunity to heal and to love my body the way it is with all the “flaws” but for all the beauty in it more.
Thank you so much for this opportunity. God bless you!

I really like my smile…or I should say my teeth. My parents were so sweet to have them straightened with braces when I was a teen. Now they are amazingly straight and I don’t have to put my hand in front of my mouth when I smile,,as I was embarrassed before braces. I was called Jenny or Jennifer Smiles too as a kid…because I did smile a lot and I am glad to now and especially since Jesus came into my heart, 35 yrs ago.

I love how you remind us about recognizing the simple gifts from God like the sticky kisses from a child.
What I love about my body are my strong arms and back that allow me to hug and pick up a child when he looks up at me with his own arms reaching up towards me. The child may have tearful eyes or a joyous smile, but he needs a hug and I am there.

I have never liked my body even though I was a dancer, and a runner and a model and paid for my looks. This is because of verbal abuse and physical abuse as a child and an adult. I have had two children and even after that been complimented on what a “great body” I have and “you should be a model” by complete strangers !!! Yet… I have always felt “not enough” and “less than”… even more so after having my children. I am in my mid-fifties… and in better shape than some 20-somethings when I am forced by friends to look at reality… but inside… I am a lonely, crying, 500 pound canary in a cage.

God ALWAYS looks @ the ‘INNER’ person & tells us that HE loves us UNCONDITIONALLY. WHat GOD says U CAN ‘COUNT ON’-HE IS a PROMISE KEEPER. What OTHERS EVER say about U WILL ‘PASS AWAY’!-GOD ID FOREVER A LOVING GOD! ETETNITY IS a LONGET time than ‘the HERE & NOW’;-)

I love that my body has been covered by the Grace of God! Although having been overweight my whole life, I am very rarely sick, have few medical ailments, carried and birthed my children with NO problems, and am blessed with good health. So the fact that my body WORKS is my favorite thing about my body. 🙂

I love my stretch marks from my pregnancies with my 3 children. My “battle scars” as I like to call them, remind me that I am a Mother, a wonderful mother, and I wouldn’t imagine being anything else but a mother, wife, and home maker.

I love that my body carried each of my three precious children through months of terrible morning sickness and long, difficult labors. I am learning that my curves and stretch marks are beauty marks that remind me of my most precious gifts.

Hi Holly- Thank you for this post and daily inspriation. Although I am out of the house earning the bread that keeps us going (my husband is home ill), I still consider the home, my primary responsibility. I know others would put that aside, and I am thankful for everything my husband is able to do, but there is a heart that a woman brings to a home that is so very different, a different focus sometimes, and that is one in which I choose to continue to strive to bring at home….even when I can’t be there full time. Little notes, emails, and calls can make a difference in the day of a family. What I like best about my body is that God has gifted me with a lot of physical strength for someone so small. It has served me well so many times and has allowed me to serve others….my goal and gift back to God.

There isn’t much about my body I like, but what I can say is that I like my legs – I am 47 years old and can still rock (black) leggings (with long tunic tops mind you.) And my hair – although naturally curly, it straightens beautifully. I carry scars – of three cesarean sections that remind me that my kids are miracles walking about because my body wouldn’t accommodate a natural birth. It reminds me too that I am still here – a good hundred years ago with complications like mine, the mother and infant would have both died – and I got to live and have a total of three kidlets. But what I am most proud of about my body are the scars it carries on the inside … the trials and sufferings that enabled God to make me a better woman, wife and mother, that enabled me to pass on a better legacy to my children than the one I was given.

I love my face and how people say I look very young considering I am a mother of 4 boys and a grandma to 3 babies (and going 50 years). I love my response that my youth is brought by the joy of life – the challenges and the victories; specially that of being a woman – a wife, a mother, and a grandma. And that I can attribute all glory to heaven’s grace.

This speaks directly to me. I grew up in an era that promoted a sense of obligation, as a woman, to get out there and go after a Career. There had been a lot of women who had come before, gave much, lost much and struggled for my freedom to enter the work force. It wasn’t until I was in my late 40’s that I finally recognized and gave voice to that sense of longing I’d lived with my whole life. That purpose I’d been searching so long and hard for was simply this: What I wanted to be when I grew up was a Homemaker. When I honoured that part of myself, I finally achieved the sense of contentment and peace I’d been striving after for so long. I’m blessed to have married a man who is grateful to have me to come home to and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

I love that my body was strong enough to handle the treatments (4 surgeries + 1 to go and 52 weeks of chemo) after being diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer 3 years ago. Coming to terms with the changes in my appearance throughout it all has been one of my biggest challenges, but I hope I have modeled obedience, resilience, and strengthened faith to my four, beautiful, precious daughters (ages 22, 20, 18, 16).

On behalf of myself and my daughter, thank you so much for today’s wonderful encouragement. The world will have women losing their minds over things they cannot control, while they ignore the beauty of life and the gifts of love we should be pursuing. I like my arms, I’m extra tall, so my arms are extra long and they seem naturally inclined to just reach out and wrap around almost everyone I meet. Kind of strange and wonderful at the same time!

I love my 54-year-old head of straight salt and pepper shoulder length hair because for many years I had a very short mommy haircut. Since my first child has gone off to college I have even grown my bangs, that I have always had since childhood, out long. Yes, ladies, I have long hair! Well, longer than I’ve had since I was sweet 16!

This gave me some much needed encouragement today when I often feel so discouraged as a mother. One thing I love about my body is my hands…even though they look about 10 years older than the rest of me, they are my tools for loving through hard work and gentle touch.

What I like most about my body are my eyes. At nearly 70 years of age, they are still the beautiful blue that God made them although dimmed somewhat. Anything anyone would ever want to know about me can be seen through them. You can see my mood changes, my joys, my hurts, my fears in my eyes. And, although sometimes I am embarrassed by my emotions, I love that God made me so sensitive to others and to words and to beautiful music that tears roll out of them nearly every day. I love what Solomon has to say about eyes: “How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful! Your eyes are doves… You have stolen my heart, my sister, my bride; you have stolen my heart with one glance of your eyes.”

All I’ve ever wanted to do/be is a stay-at-home wife and mom. Unfortunately I’ve worked outside the home most of my years as both. Sometimes God has other plans for us and sometimes we just choose our own path……

I think what I like most about my body is my height. I am petite- only 4’11” and I consider this a blessing now . For years I wished I was taller until I realized I am just the height the Lord wants me to be and that makes it perfect!

Growing up I felt my hands and fingers were chubby, but I believe I’ve finally grown into them. I love my hands. I feel I can share God’s love by a squeeze of an arm, a rub of the shoulders, an embrace of a hug or stroking hair. I definitely love people by touch. While there’s not a ring on that special finger (which I’ve dreamed of having, like your sister) or little ones to cuddle, I’m learning to trust the Lord for His timing and loving those around me now.
Emily, I’ve enjoyed so many of your posts! I feel I know you even more because I know your Mer (from Discover). Thank you for letting me learn at your feet and add to my hope chest of ways to love my future and current family.

oh Rachel, this moves me greatly. Praying that one day you’ll be able to have that ring on your finger and those little ones to cuddle. In the meantime may our Abba father love on you so intimately… Bless you girl. e.

I love my body and i take care of it because is the only tool i have to be able to perform my God size dream! I am not in the greatest shape yet but i have learn to care for it at this moment in my life. With out this body i can’t achieve my purpose here. Thank you! Love you.

for me, i am thankful for my eyes to see not only this beautiful world god has given us but the spiritual eyes to see his people, him & the awesome goodness especially during tough times. when we are able to see thru his eyes, that is truly the taste of heaven! thanks! oOo

Emily, thank you for this post. I don’t always agree 100% with your words, but these are inspiring and honest and true. I needed to hear it today, as I struggle to fit my body into jeans and struggle more to like what I see in the mirror. One thing I do consistently like are my feet =) That feels like a copout answer, but I really love them! I have a small tattoo on my right foot of the alpha & omega symbols, and I’ve looked to them countless times for comfort and hope. I love my toes and the way my feet look in strappy sandals & clunky Keens. I love painting my toenails, and getting sandal suntans =)

I have never liked my body due to an unfortunate childhood of sexual abuse. I have struggled with poor self esteem and confidence not only when I look in the mirror but when I speak as well. But fortunately God has shown me that He is with me and always will be and He loves me just the way I am. He created me to be who I am and He has plans for me, to protect me and to prosper me. I trust in Him and have grown stronger in my mind, body and spirit! So I am going to say what I love about my body is that is curvy and beautifully imperfect (inside and out) even if it’s not the size I’d like it to be! I also love that my heart can be broken but with Jesus in it I am assured it will always mend!!

Thank you so much for sharing so openly with us, you spoke straight to my heart!

What I like about my body is that it carries around my spirit and soul so God can use it, whichever way He chooses and wherever He directs it. Also, my body reminds me that I am a woman and that is such a sublime honor to me. We as women are participants with God in creating Life on so many different levels and facets and ways.
And our bodies facilitate this endeavor.
what I like about my body is that it carries around ‘me’.
Bless you so very much!
and many many thanks.
xoxooo

I’ve never been blessed with a pregnancy and being post-menopause that’s surely not happening! But I’d like to nominate my homecare nurse Shemeka to be the recipient of your book. She loves God and is a faithful servant who just learned 10 days ago that she is pregnant. She is has a joyful spirit, and I can imagine that every part of her will be beautiful with the gift of a baby inside of her. May God bless her and her baby as he or she develops into another child of God.

I’m so grateful for this platform and absolutely delighted to share that I love my body…not because I’m chiseled or even in the best shape of my life…okay okay I’m working diligently to set, maintain, and succeed health and wellness standards one day at a time! Still, I’m thrilled with my body because of it’s functionality! My arms hold my sons when only Mommy will do! My hands lovingly caress my boys’ gorgeous faces as they sleep! My ears listen attentively to the encouragement they offer one another as they try their best to recall Philippians 4:13 to one another…Ha! My lips circle upward with fervor unsurpassed when my boys find joy in accomplishing a specific task and they look to me to make certain I witnessed the accomplishment! My knees work exceptionally well as I bow in prayer and ask GOD’s blessings on my sons now and always! Oh…and my shoulders…lest I forget…are utilized often by my sons’ as they offer me sweet and unconditional hugs or when they cry tears of disappointment…my shoulders are afforded the privilege of being a safe haven for my Mighty Kings in Training… I praise GOD for my body and for how HE chooses to use it as an instrument of HIS grace! GOD Bless You and thank you for this privilege to share!

Thank you Emily. Your words resonated with my soul. The Lord is good always.
We tend to forget that He has dreams for us and they are all different shapes and sizes.
Hmm, what do I love about my body…that my husband loves it, that my 63 year arthritic veiny hands look like my mom’s and they remind me daily of her life filled with love, sacrifice and service for Jesus.

My 79 year-old body is far from perfect. My back is bent, my skin is gradually sagging into my shoes, my skin bruises easily so I continually have a few unsightly spots on my arms. I have some well earned wrinkles on my face. Raising four delightful children and loving on 13 grandchildren has taken a toll.
BUT there is a sparkle in my hazel eyes; I smile easily, I carry a grateful and joyful heart. People continually tell me I am beautiful. This seems like an oxymoron to me. It truly is humbling. But recently my pastor remarked about the glow on my happy face and said that he thought it came from the Spirit of God. Oh, I pray that is true. Although, as the Apostle Paul said, the outward body is perishing, the inner person grows stronger day by day. I want to be a reflection of the Lord and bear fruit in my old age, and that requires the vessel of my imperfect body!!!

The thing I love about my body are my long arms. After having a baby I sometimes am not sure what I love about my body anymore. But I try to focus on the things that I do like and try to get comfortable with the new body I have that provided me with my beautiful son.

Beautiful post, Emily. I have to admit that liking my body has been a life-long struggle, and age has not made it any easier, except that I’ve come to love my hair. Most of my life my hair was very coarse and thick. It was impossible to tame. I also began greying early. The last time I colored it was when I was pregnant at 40. I was NOT going to the OB with gray hair. =) After that, I simply let nature take it’s course. Since my hair has become almost totally white, it is thinner (a good thing) and silkier, and strangers are always telling me how much they love my hair.

I love that I stand on a 4’11” body. It challenges me everyday to do the things that a much taller person can do. It has given me the courage to ask for help when I need to and to remind myself that we need everyone in our life. Can you imagine me trying to get an item at the grocery store that’s on the top shelve? I can’t do it if I don’t ask the help of another person. You can’t imagine how many friends I’ve made at the grocery store by just asking for help. This 4’11”, 65 yrs old woman, loves the Lord and stands firms on God’s grace. Blessings.

What I love about my body is that after a stroke at the age of 33, it is alive! My brain has changed, which has changed my entire life; how I understand things, how I respond to things, but I am alive! The negative affects of birth control, having caused the stroke, changing my life, left me different and at times desperate, but with God’s help, I am learning how to live with these changes. My brain is alive and with it, I will live the life that God said was for good! I may never have children from my own womb, but my mind and body are strong enough to adopt and raise children who need a loving home.

I just had to jump in and say God bless you April! I love your positive attitude and embracing the new you! I understand what it is like to have your entire life changed in a moment as brain surgery to remove a brain tumor at age 44 turned my life on its head. But God was nearer me then then ever and each dark day brought new hope. It has been ten years and I too am just so happy to be alive. God bless you April! You are strong and courageous!
Hugs,
Kelly

Thank you so much Kelly! Your words of affirmation and encouragement are so much appreciated. God is faithful isn’t He! I can’t wait to learn more about your experience via your blog. I have felt so alone at times as many people do not understand how it feels to be different after a stroke. If you look the same, they expect you are the same, but sometimes the changes are not seen, but they sure are felt. God bless you!

oh friends. this whole interaction has me in tears. my mother had a brain tumor removed too, and yet after eight years of fighting brain cancer, she is alive! so i rejoice with both of you!! life is truly such a precious gift…

I love my hands. I’m an artist…a painter & I also am learning to play guitar. It’s amazing all of the things that our hands can do! My dreams have also been founded on insecurities & I’m learning to question if some of my own dreams are really God or are myself. Maybe He’s even letting some of them come true, after I decide that fame & fortune are not worth what I would lose in the process 🙂

I love that I have a great tan that I keep year round. That I’m 5 ft 2 1/2 and am tall enough to be seen and small enough to hide when I want ie: at a party, etc. I love my petite stature and the fact I can wear a large size in a girls shirt. I love the curves God has given me. I wouldn’t change anything God gave me on my body. Thank you for helping realize what gifts God has given to me in my body.

Thank you so much for sharing your dream and your sister’s! I can relate. I always wanted to be a mom to orphans like Amy Carmichael but God has morphed that dream. I am blessed with a wonderful husband of nearly four years. I get to be with children often and I make the most of every opportunity.
Thank you to everyone who has shared what they love about their body! My first favorite is my eyelashes. I am blessed with long, flirty ones that my husband also loves. I am learning to “love” my lack of health because God has made me a better person through my weakness.
🙂 Hannah

I love the fact that the Lord gave me exactly the body He wanted me to have and that I finally made peace with that fact when I read it in Psalm 139; and God does only what is good!! Thank you for a great post – I really enjoyed it!

I have struggled with poor self esteem most of my life… Through this struggle I have realized that I was looking through a very warped lense at myself. It didn’t matter how many compliments came my way I would just reject them chalking it up to be good lighting or a rare good hair day. It wasn’t until I began to see other women who weren’t “perfect” , who could walk and talk confidently and “Rock what they got”. And had a realization that it is not about how you look it is about the condition of your heart and mind… I began to ask God What is my purpose? Is it to “look good” or is it to take the focus off of myself and put it on Jesus and thank Him for all the good things He has given and done for me, Including His craftsmanship in even creating me. He has shown me that what He has given me may be just what someone else was looking for…Someone else who isn’t ” Perfect” but can “Rock what they got!” To see another women’s imperfections and all …exude such love, joy & beauty from within so much so you are so taken by these attributes that flaws are unnoticed and the condition of her heart and mind are such a display of beauty that it is breathtaking. So you ask “what is my favorite body part?” I would have to say my heart… Because when it has fallen in love with its creator the women on the outside radiates love and beauty that will never fade .

this: “I began to ask God What is my purpose? Is it to “look good” or is it to take the focus off of myself and put it on Jesus and thank Him for all the good things He has given and done for me, Including His craftsmanship in even creating me.”

What I love about my body? I have to say my disability. Most people say I have a disability. I look at it as a favor from God. Im 100% deaf on one side and over 35% on the other. It makes for only the important messages to be heard.I also am very lucky to have great health and I don’t take it for granted. God uses me in ways each day to help others. He allows me to grow where He has planted me. Im very THANKFUL & BLESSED.
Denise
ps. I love your encouraging words.

Emily, You have chosen the better thing. Glory in the everyday, breathing hope and life and joy and courage into tomorrow one little peanut butter kiss at a time. Love the strength and beauty of a mother and wife mothering and loving her husband. Nothing brings us greater fame, fortune or reward.

I love my smile and the roundness of my cheeks. My husband calls them the “fillet mignon!”

I love my hands because looking at them I see the ability to serve God and others. They are not perfect and not painted pretty but they remind me each day that they are used in a way to help many others, whether in my job, or at home cooking for my hubby for dinner. Hands = Servanthood.

I struggle with self image, but I do love that my body was strong enough to carry and deliver two healthy babies. And a lot of the changes I’be seen in my body are because of that. And they are much better than a perfect figure any day!

My height…or lack of it! I am just 5ft 1inch and I used to wear high heels all the time to try and be taller looking. However God sent me to a remote village in the Philippines as a missionary and most of the ladies there are all very small, much smaller than me. I am so glad I “fit in” with them and can sit in a crouched position like they do as they wash clothes and weed in the garden. So all that to say I love being small!! Thank you Lord, you knew what would help me to fit in with a different culture long before I knew how to speak. 🙂

My hands. That have held hands with my husband, and my four girls. That wiped away tears from little eyes. That tenderly stroke cheeks. Tha hold hands with a woman in crisis. That carry a Bible and cling to it when I sleep. That touch the words and thinks yhat if Jesus is the Word then I can get close to Him. That wave. That lifted are worshipping. That stroke the keys as I write from the heart.

Oh, without a doubt my smile! Even though my two front teeth were knocked out when I was younger. It is obvious that the caps on them aren’t mine but just the same I will continue to smile. A smile gives many people a brighter day, a sense of being recognized, and most importantly sheds the love of God!

Dear Emily, How timely your post is for me!! I’ve always struggled with accepting my body, my physical (dare-i-say-it) beauty….felt embarrassed to admit and accept that GOD created me as i am and that is beautiful enough…however, at the moment all those feelings fall by the wayside as I am amazed at what my body can do. Currently 26weeks pregnant with my second child and thrilled/excited/awed by this life I am carrying….This is what i LOVE about my body – that God can use what i saw as imperfect (my body) as a vehicle to carry and create the most perfect blessing – (our child)!!!
Thank you for the reminder to serve with humble heart and with joy those whom God has called me to serve in the closest possible way…my family. thank you for the reminder that we strive for a much bigger purpose than to “claim what we deserve”, that of fulfilling the role of woman – helper, child of God, wife, mother, daughter, friend. Receive my love and thanks, Anouchka xxxxx

I have loved reading through each of these comments. What an encouragment to see women embracing something about their bodies! I have been convicted in a sense of this very topic and have even written on it some, although in a different aspect
What I love about my body? My smile!!! It draws people in. I have been told that when people talk with me and see my smile it starts their day off right. I even heard one person say the other day to another customer that they just feel like they’ve known me forever, in part because of my smile.( I run a coffee shop.) While I struggled initially to see that, I have learned to embrace that and love that about me. It’s a God given gift, my smile. Especially after all life has brought my way in the last years. God is so good. And I love my smile. And I love that He can use it on a daily basis.
PS-It is one of my handful of dreams to be a stay at home mom again one day, so I also loved this post for that reason:)
Thanks!

I just loved reading what you wrote as thats exactly where i am I would love to a housewife but because of circumstances I am unable to at the moment.
I dont love much about my body but I can say i love my hands for what I can do with them. Blessings

That it’s never too late to get stronger! That my nearly 50 year old body can still build muscles with a little coaxing – and as the inevitable aches creep in (after all-it’s been used continually for 50 year 😉 I “love” that so many of the parts of this body still work beautifully!

What I love about my body is that it has allowed me to have three beautiful children. To give them a million hugs and kisses as they grew up and to nurse them when they fell ill with the chicken pox and other ailments over the years. My body has also allowed me to care for my ailing husband who battled cancer for 7 and a half years and finally succumbed to it in 2006. Some days I curse the aches and pains, but most of all I thank my God who gave me this body to worship Him and totally trust in Him to carry me everyday through the struggles of being a single mom trying to do my best raising my children. I can do all things through Christ which strengthen me. Thank you Lord.

What I love about my body is that it can change with me, and it has and does. As I look back over my 55 years I realize my body has been through as much as I have and changed along the way. It’s often reflected where I was emotionally at the time. One of the best memories I have of my body was when I was pregnant with my daughter. I can look at photo’s of myself with the HUGE belly and smile at the beauty contained in my physical form at that time. Yea it took work afterward to get back to a place where I was comfortable physically but I wouldn’t have traded one of the extra pounds for a different experience. There’s something so beautiful about a full bodied woman…pregnant or not. I wish I had felt that as a teen when I struggled with being overweight. At 55 I can still carry the struggles of owning my “right” size but I think I am there. My body is in good health and the right size for my 5’4″ frame. I have muscle and appropriate sagging areas for a mature woman. Experience teaches me about loving myself and loving my body across the journey. I am grateful for where I am today and with the body I have. I take care of it and it helps take care of me.

After years of struggling to fall pregnant and an early miscarriage just over a year ago I am now 13 weeks pregnant and just marvel at what Gods creation (my body) and Gods work can do in building such a perfect and miraculous baby. I had my 12 week scan last week and to see such an active and perfectly formed baby on the screen is just proof of the wonders of our feminine bodies and is proof to me of Gods miraculous design of human life. I thank God every day for my blessings xcx

Wow, I am just blown away by the beautiful response here… thank you so much Holley for hosting me, and I will try to respond personally to some of the comments over the coming week… Many huge blessings to all of you. e.

Wow, these are words I desperately needed to hear. As a first-time mom to a seven week old daughter, I have been struggling with body image and the seemingly impossible demands of being a housewife/mommy. I have been looking for a new perspective to my days to transform my “work” into a form of worship. This post hit the nail on the head. So, first and foremost, I want to thank you so much for sharing these words.

In regards to your question, what I love most about my body is its strength. Throughout my life, people have critiqued and criticized my body for the “un-girly” muscles I have. Now that I have a baby, however, I value the importance of a strong body and I am incredibly thankful for it. I look forward to witnessing what shape my daughter’s body will take and teaching her to love it, regardless.

I have long struggled with loving my body, but I do love my hair (when it is clean and styled!). long, dark waves/curls that look pretty and my boys love to play with. they call it “jungle hair” and like to hide toys in it 😉 I don’t mind at all.

All my life I have felt my “abs” weren’t strong enough…weren’t flat enough. No matter what I did they just weren’t as strong as they needed to be in my opinion. After recently giving my birth to my first son I finally feel like they are strong. They are more than strong enough. I love my entire body. It got me through the experience of pregnancy. My arms carry this 21 pound boy daily. Everyday I use my legs to rush back home to him. This whole experience has strengthened my heart. I’m so grateful God and my husband who made it possible.

I know with all the comments the chance of getting a free copy of your book is probably slim however I’d love to have a copy to read then pass on to another woman so more woman can read the book.

I have been trying all my life to find something great about myself so I feel important and stand out for my accomplishments however after readying this post I have a much better understanding of who we are and who we belong to, and learning we are special just like we are because He designed us for His purpose.

What a wonderful encouragement and collection of truths to ponder in the midst of trying to juggle my part-time, self-directed career and somehow uphold my family with preschool twins and a Military Daddy to boot!

Roles and equity are what I struggle with most in the realm of household labor, particularly given my career and training in academia. Thank you for the push.

What I like about my body….I am tall by virtue of birth, and have a slender upper body (which works great to disguise more voluptuous thighs than I would prefer 🙂

I like that, regardless of circumference, I am strong and have no problem lifting and holding both of my 34 month old, TALL twins at the same time if necessary!

i was an amazing size 4 all the way through high school, hit an extremely emotionally difficult, depression time when i moved 6 states away from where i am from, and shot up to a size 12/14. yea.. 10 sizes. awful. but now my body is finally back down to about a size 8. I am thankful that now my body is craving healthy food and working out every day! my body begs me for a salad at night after work then it again asks for an hour long powerwalk after dinner. glorious. i am so thankful it knows what it needs now instead of running on emotion and adrenaline and pain! i also LOVE my eyes. i have bright blue eyes. and my hair that is finally curly after my whole life wanting it to be curly. also, my legs could beat you up. (not that i would do that)—– they are solid muscle. i love it. 🙂

I love your emails that come to me….some times, almost always, it exactly what I need to hear. So, thank you. I was introduced to you by my Aunt who would quite often forward me one of your emails and I finally went and subscribed 🙂

What I love most? I love my height, I am very tall, with heels, around 6’2”. I am different because of that and people treat me different, both good an bad but it is something I wouldnt change for the world!

When I read this reading today it hit a cord with me.
I have struggled with many a thought of how “I just don’t fit in, or I am not good enough” It did not stem just from my body image but from somewhere deep inside. Believing that God put me here for a reason is just now in my 49 years of life sinking in. He made me to be who I am. My body image does not matter, it is what inside that counts. God has made many walks of life, some thin, some larger but we are all a part of him deep within ourselves. Thank you for this reading today.

I loved what you said about being a housewife/SAHM. While it certainly doesn’t pay well in $$, the time I’ve gotten to spend with my kids while they were little has been priceless!! What do I love about my body? Well, I’ve never thought of it as “love”, but I appreciate it because it birthed my two sweet girls, nursed them, healed up after injuries, and has managed to stay pretty darn healthy, considering everything. (Thank goodness for the “teacher antibodies” that I credit for being pretty healthy over the years working in classrooms.) Thanks for what you’re doing to encourage women, Emily & Holley!! 🙂

I love that my body is different than everyone else’s. NO two of us are the same! From our hairs on our head to our fingerprints. That amazes me. That God is infinite!! So yep…I like being me cuz me is the only me there is! 🙂

It’s wonderful to know we are God’s creation and complete. We are to thank the Almighty God for giving us our completeness, and our bodies as its a gift from Him as well. We use too much when we serve the Lord and when we serve our families. Our hands are there doing the things for the family, serving them, feeding them and guiding them in the things of God. Our hands show that we love them. My hands show to my husband that I love him when I embrace him and he loves them too, and he does the same. Mike goes to the store and chooses with his hands what flowers he wants to give me now and then. Our feet are also so important, they complete the service we give our family. Our mouths are important as they utter the goodness of God and share them with the family! Mike and I often says to each other, I love you! Mike always finishes a phone conversation w/ me w/ I love you! And I say I love you too! ~ Thank you Holley! May you and your hubby have a BLESSED day! 🙂

I didnt give birth to my 2 boys. I lost 6 babies trying to get preg. I lost my fallopian tubes in the process. I guess I love my arms and hands because I can hug on my boys and do things for them. I enjoyed your blog. I remember as me and my husband were just trying to start a family my dad wanted me to go back to school. I said no that I wanted to be a mom. He looked at me like I was crazy. I knew how much of my time and Life it would take to be a good one.

After waiting 36 years I finally became a mom. I did not have the birthing experience I wanted but the results were all the same, I had a precious, healthy baby in my arms. My favorite part of my body is my C-section scar & my belly. That was my baby’s home for 9 months and the incision/scar was necessary for him to come out and meet us. He is my miracle baby. You see, I had cancer and was told if I went through with radiation treatment that I needed after surgery, that I would probably not be able to have children……But my God is bigger and He had a better plan for me!! To God be the Glory!

Thank you Emily! For speaking my heart! Yes! Yes! Yes! I’m sitting here crying because, bingo, that is so me! I always wanted to be a housewife and mom, but as soon as my kids started school, the culture and my own insecurity wanted more. Now, at 53, my children are all raised, I have 2 grandchildren, and I’m still battling with this! But, after reading this revelation…..I love being a housewife, I love who I am, who God made me to be, my petite frame, small hands and small feet. I love God with all my heart and love to sing and worship HIM…..thank you Emily, for helping me take one more step towards total FREEDOM!!! I’m thanking God for you today!!! May He bless YOU in your greatest need today!

thank you for such an inspiring message Holley & Emily. I have always dreamed of being a housewife and a mother since i was small. but it has always eluded me despite my fervent prayers, and now at 45 i am becoming hopeless and most sad, especially with the knowledge that i may never have biological children. even having a good work has not made me truly happy and content. having a very small chest makes me feel unattractive; yet i feel that my heart is huge and has much love to give. i love my ears because i’ve always been a good listener and my arms because i always have a ready hug for those in need of comfort. i am encouraged once more to believe that being a housewife even a mother is indeed a God-size dream for me.